Page 23 of Pretty Lies & Ugly Truths

“It’s fake, all of it. The woman listed as Maggie’s biological mom isn’t a real person, and without anything else to go on, it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack.”

“So…that’s all? You’re telling me you can’t find anything more?” I snap, my voice coming out harsher than I mean for it to, but frustration at the possibility of already reaching a dead end is pissing me off.

“Now hang on. That’snotwhat I said. If you would just calm down a second, I was going to tell you—I canstill find you what you need, but I’m gonna have to do a deep dive, and it’s going to take a lot longer than I anticipated. I’m going to have to go through somealternate routesto get what you need, if you know what I mean? So how bad do you want this stuff?”

“Ineedthis information, so do whatever you have to do to get it.”

“Okay.”

“So, tell me what you’re thinking. Based off what we do know, what do you think we’re dealing with here?” I ask, wanting his insight.

Beckham has a unique mind and has always had this knack for the bigger picture, seeing things no one else notices. He has this ability to find patterns or missing pieces of the puzzle and slot them into place effortlessly.

“I don’t know. It’s possible none of it’s relevant to what’s happening now. She could just be another one of the many infants sold on the black market. Some people get so desperate, they’re willing to pay a lot of money for a baby. If the mom didn’t want to get in trouble, she could have used a fake name, which would make sense if you said she was on drugs.”

“Maybe…” I answer, rolling it around in my mind.

“Though my guess would be that this mom has gone and pissed someone off, maybe owes someone a lot of money. Mom can’t pay, so they take it out on her kid. Worst case, if she was turning tricks…well, you know how the skin trade works.

My body runs cold as an icy storm brews just beneaththe surface, threatening to burst free and destroy everything in its path.

No way in fucking hell will I let that happen.

“Arch…you still there?” His voice breaks through my thoughts, and I force my hands to unclench, running them through my hair as I take a breath to calm my racing heart.

“Yeah, I’m here.” My voice comes out thick and raspy.

“The girl—Maggie. I asked if she was okay. Jayce told me how she had been attacked.”

“Yeah, she’s okay. She was pretty shaken up at first, but she’s strong. She’s upstairs taking a nap,” I tell him, and he gets quiet.

Suddenly, I remember I needed to ask him for a favor, “Oh, by the way that reminds me. I need you to get me someone to install a security system in her apartment. The best one you have, and make sure it’s someone you trust. I don’t want just anyone in her space,” I tell him.

When he still doesn’t respond I look down to make sure the call didn’t disconnect.

Nope, still there. “Hello—did I lose you?”

“No, I’m still here,” he responds.

“Well…are you gonna do it or not?” I ask with a touch of impatience.

“Y-Yeah, of course. Sorry, I guess I’m just in shock. You said the girl is upstairs? As in—upstairs in your house?”

“Yes…and?” I say, straightening a pen on my desk.

“It’s just, you never let women stay at your place. She must mean something to you.”

“What? That’s not true. Anyways, it’s not like that. She doesn’tmeananything to me. She just needed my help. She’s only staying here because she doesn't have anywhere else to go,” I say, sounding defensive, even to my own ears.

“Right,” he says after a beat, voice heavy with sarcasm.

That’s it. I’m officially done with this conversation.

“Just let me know when it’s done and keep me updated on any new information you find,” I bark out before hanging up, the sounds of his low laughter still mocking me even after he’s gone.

I don’t know what the fuck he’s talking about. I’ve had women in my house before. Well—technically not this house, but I have had women inside my downtown apartment. It’s true none have stayed the night—but that doesn’t mean anything.

When it comes to dating, I’ve always preferred a more casual approach, making sure I am upfront with them from the beginning.

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